Mariya is a Ukrainian-Canadian journalist based in Toronto. She reports on national and business news. She’s previously written for Maclean’s, Toronto Life, Blog TO and the Houston Chronicle. Mariya earned her Master of Journalism degree from Toronto Metropolitan University, where she received the Dean’s Award of Excellence.

After completing an internship with Report on Business, Mariya has become a regular contributor to The Globe’s young money series. Most recently, she’s been working as an associate producer with CBC’s The National, where she co-ordinated panels and interviews around the day’s breaking news stories. You can chat with Mariya in English, Russian, French and Spanish.

Lou Celli is a Partner and the Southern Ontario lead for Doane Grant Thornton’s Private Business Services. Since earning his Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) designation in 2016, Lou has helped families find common ground and harmony in support of their business and personal goals. To do this, Lou digs deeply into a company’s strategic priorities, unearths potential conflicts, and works to resolve them before they impact both their family and their business. Lou’s expertise extends from the practical matters of running a business—succession, governance, planning—to the less tangible, interpersonal skills needed to align diverse points of view—active listening, communication, adaptability. He works with families and their businesses on financing, taxation, divestiture planning, acquisitions, succession planning, and visioning. Outside of work, Lou enjoys learning about his own family roots, routinely travelling to Italy to uncover new chapters of his family history.

 Isabelle Le Breton-Miller is a Professor of Management and Chair of Succession and Family Enterprise at HEC Montréal. She holds a Ph.D. in Management from Imperial College London and an M.Sc. from HEC Montréal. Before her academic career, she held senior managerial positions in human resource management. Her research focuses on the strategies, governance structures, and succession processes of family enterprises. Over the past 20 years, she has published over 70 contributions, including articles in top journals, pedagogical cases, and research reports. Her book, Managing for the Long Run, co-authored with Danny Miller, has been translated into six languages and is recognized as a major classic in the family business field. Professor Le Breton-Miller has received numerous accolades, including the Barbara Hollander Award from the Family Firm Institute and the FERC Lifetime Influence & Impact Award. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was recently named one of the world’s top 25 most influential academics on family enterprise by Family Capital Publishing.

President of Freed & Freed, Founder of FREED, aMASK, and Indigo Arrows x FREED, Marissa Freed is a trailblazer in the fashion industry, combining a legacy of craftsmanship with a modern approach to accessible luxury. As the visionary behind FREED, she has redefined outerwear, offering timeless pieces that elevate any wardrobe while empowering individuals to feel confident in their own skin.

With a dual background in fashion and business, Marissa has evolved FREED into a brand that resonates with those who value quality, sophistication, and sustainability. Owning and operating their factory allows FREED to maintain a steadfast commitment to zero-waste practices, ensuring every piece reflects a thoughtful approach to both design and production. FREED stands as a smarter alternative to fleeting trends and overvalued options, delivering attainable luxury without compromise. Marissa has expertly navigated succession planning and legacy building at FREED, through her experience taking over her family business and successfully positioning FREED for the future.

Having recently navigated a breast cancer diagnosis and recovery, Marissa brings a unique blend of resilience, strength, and authenticity to her life and work. Her personal journey has shaped her perspective, inspiring others to embrace their individual style, overcome challenges, and find empowerment in their own stories. With a passion for helping others find resilience through adversity, Marissa is dedicated to supporting individuals as they cultivate their own inner strength and authenticity. She is dedicated to sharing her insights on embracing life’s challenges with courage and grace, and how we can all find inspiration in our personal journeys.

Don C. Sihota, K.C., is a highly experienced M&A lawyer, with about $1 billion of cumulative transaction value across diverse industries. Known for his ability to anticipate challenges and provide clear, practical advice, Don helps business owners navigate complex sales, shareholder disputes, and corporate matters with confidence. His dual degrees in business and law, paired with hands-on business experience, give him a unique understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face. Whether advising on multi-million-dollar deals or smaller transactions, Don is committed to delivering tailored, high-quality legal solutions that align with his clients’ goals. 

Bio to come